Rockport --- Then and Now 1840-2000
 
Through her one hundred sixty years, Rockport, Massachusetts, a New England coastline town rich in
local history, developed her granite history which goes back to around 1800. The Rockport Granite Co.
with main office next to the Keystone Bridge in Pigeon Cove, and Branch offices were established in
Boston, New York City, Philadelphia, Cleveland, Chicago, Detroit, and Fort Worth, Texas. Granite was
shipped to many places in the United States.
 
Rockport got its name when voters were asked to meet and discuss naming the town. The men in charge
of town affairs: James Haskell, Thomas Haskell Ebenezer Pool, Jr., Amos Story, Jr., and Daniel Wheeler.
Paper was passed out for voting purposes, 63 in number. At that time the suggested ' names for the town
were Rockport, Granite, Cape Ann, and a last minute suggestion, Brest, East Gloucester. First ballot gave
Rockport 24 of the 63 voted upon. Following are the votes on that first ballot: Cape Ann, 22 votes; East
Gloucester, 7 votes; Brest, 8 votes. They balloted for a third time, after which the names GRANITE and
ROCKPORT were chosen. In 1839 a decision was made that the name was to be ROCKPORT. In 1840,
Rockport was incorporated as a town.
 
August 1893 Selectmen agreed to install electric lights. Gloucester Electric Light Co. did install 125 lights
for the streets. Service on these began in 1894.
 
Progress in growing Rockport, activated the interest of tourists to the town. As a result, several hotels
were built. It was unfortunate that quite a few fires damaged or destroyed these buildings. Necessity for
substantial housing for these out-of-town guests, the more modern Hotel Edward was constructed in
Pigeon Cove.
 
In 1890 in South Village, Turk's Head Inn was built to accommodate tourists for that area. This became
very popular, and, due to the fact that they were turning away visitors, a new owner C.B. Martin added a
new wing of thirty rooms to Turk's Head.
 
Rockporters had a great interest in music. In the churches and schools music was sponsored and
entertainers in all fields of entertainment were invited to perform, and to give their concerts for the natives
of Rockport, as well as the visitors attracted by the variety of programs.
 
In 1866 twenty young men from Rockport were asked to perform from a brass band. In 1867 they gave
their first concert in Dock Square. This was well attended by the people of Rockport. In fact, it was so
will attended, the band was encouraged to perform weekly. Patrick Gilmore, Impressario, was invited to
perform at a local picnic. In July 1867, a picnic was held for the largest crowd they ever had.
 
Meanwhile, several local performers had a small traveling band which went from store to store on Main
Street to attract interest to the various stores and help business. This was generally done on a weekend.
 
The Morgan Co., in 1872 in the Hyde Seed Building, rented stories to manufacture organs designed by
William Manning, and played by him. The strong selling point for Mr. Manning's organ design was his
claim that, for shipping purposes, these could be taken apart without removing the screws. The demand
far exceeded his supply, as a result, his salesmen were withdrawn and, by 1876 the company was sold to
Rust & Marshall of Manchester.
 
In September of 1871, under the direction of Signor Giovanni, trained canaries were brought to the
Pigeon Cove House for a concert. These performances delighted the audiences; Signor Giovanni,
imitating the canaries on his keyboard. In similar fashion, local organist Mr. Ryder, in the same year,
imitated the tweeting of the birds, with his organ, during the playing of the Mocking Bird song.
 
In March of 1873 the Spaulding Bell Ringers upon invitation came and presented a wonderful concert.
 
Rockport through her one hundred and fifty years, from 1840 to 1990 gradually, but steadily has
expanded aesthetically in her art and musical fields. It is the mecca for aspiring artists and, actually the
home of many well known artists, and sculptors.